'Blackfoot High presents "Oklahoma!'

March 18, 2013

Morning News — Leslie Mielke
The big production number, "Oklahoma!" is triumphantly sung by the Blackfoot High School cast. The musical begins at a 7 o'clock tonight, Thursday and Friday at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $7 per person and can be purchased at the high school office, district office or at the door.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, "Oklahoma!" will be performed at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday and Friday at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center, 870 S. Fisher.
The cast and crew are all Blackfoot High School students. Besides performing, the students helped to build the sets. The singers and performers are backed by a live pit orchestra made up of BHS musicians. The student BHS tech staff also light the stage and magnify the voices.
Staff and crew have been working on this musical for about eight weeks.
"The company won't release the script more than eight weeks before the production," said director Sharon Hoge.
"For the first month, cast members worked from 6-7:30 a.m. because of all the conflicts with students' schedules after school," she said. As the production dates neared, practices took place in the evening.
The timing of the production keeps moving. The singing and harmonies are delightful and working with a live orchestra is a treat.
BHS senior Beano Moschella, who plays Curly, said, "It is a great part. I work with a great cast and partner who is phenomenal. I really enjoy it."
BHS senior Miranda Day, who plays Laurey, said, "It is a daunting role, being the main person. Once I got into the role, it was O.K."
"I like all the jokes," said another cast member.
Jake Pendlebury said he has performed in other plays and enjoys being cast as different characters.
Tickets for the musical are $7 per seat and can be purchased at the high school office, district office and at the door.
The musical is directed by Hoge. Andrew Hames is the vocal director; Jan Eddington is the orchestral director.